Used to express that something is extremely unlikely to happen or is virtually impossible. Even with hard work, you don't have a dog's chance of becoming a pro athlete at 40.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not Literal
The phrase doesn't involve dogs; it’s a metaphor for a very low probability of success. I'm so behind in the race, I haven't got a dog's chance of catching up.
Pro Tip 3/3
Negative Tone
Conveys a pessimistic outlook and is usually used to manage expectations. With the market crash, our investment doesn't have a dog's chance of paying off.